Real-Time Monitoring of Blood Flow and Intravesical Pressure in the Rat Bladder.

Abstract

Because there is little information available about blood flow in the voiding cycle of the bladder, we performed a study in which we simultaneously monitored blood flow and intravesical pressure during the micturition cycle in a rat model. Approximately 300 g male Wistar rats were used in this study. Cystometric studies were performed according to our previous report, and simultaneously blood flow was monitored. Before the micturition reflex occurred, a significant increase in bladder blood flow was observed, and this increased blood flow continued during the micturition reflex. Under the maximum contraction pressure, blood flow rapidly decreased (within 10% compared to the max level). This low level of blood flow continued for more than half a minute. Our data indicated that the blood flow in the bladder was dynamically changed during voiding. This technique may represent a strong tool to investigate bladder function under drug administrations and/or pathophysiological conditions.